Ugandan car importers reject proposed law to ban old vehicles

KAMPALA, April 25 (Xinhua)-- Car dealers in Uganda are asking Parliament not to pass a law that will stop the importation of cars manufactured more than eight years ago.

Led by Marvin Ayebale, the secretary general of Associated Motor Dealers, the members petitioned Parliament on Wednesday, saying the new law would create greater demand and lower supply of vehicles into the country.

"The population is not financially ready for the proposal," Ayebale said, adding that many Ugandans will be driven out of business if the Traffic and Road Safety Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 is passed into law.

The same Bill also proposes that importers of cars that were manufactured five years ago or more would have to pay an environment tax.

The proposed law, however, exempts heavy vehicles such as breakdown lorries, crane lorries, road sweeper lorries, fire fighting vehicles, concrete mixer lorries, spraying lorries, mobile workshops and forklifts among others.

Armored vehicles, agricultural and forestry tractors will also be exempted.

"We are with government on the intentions of this Bill but disagree on the approach. We propose gradual phasing out of these vehicles starting with a 15-year threshold. We need to be prepared," said Ayebale earlier before meeting the Members of Parliament. Enditem